Unsafe Beauty: Cosmetology and the Problem of Hazardous Cosmetics

The toxic trio of formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP are commonly found in cosmetics.

- DR P.S. VENKATESH RAO

Cosmetology is about beauty treatments for the skin, hair, and nails. Hair styling, makeup, skincare, manicures, pedicures, and non-permanent hair removals such as waxing, sugaring and chemical hair removal to enhance a person's appearance are all part of cosmetology. Aesthetic (cosmetic) dermatologists are skin doctors specially trained to use a vast non-surgical armamentarium for skin polishing (microdermabrasion), to remove dead skin and improve skin appearance; facial rejuvenation to restore a more youthful appearance to the face using chemical peels, phototherapy (with ultraviolet light), laser therapy, and micro-needling; permanent hair removal by electrology or intense pulsed light (IPL); tattoo removal with Q-switch laser; cautery or cryotherapy for skin tags, moles or warts; Botox (botulinum toxin) injections to temporarily relax muscles to smooth wrinkles; dermal filler (gel-like substances) injections to reduce wrinkles, scars and skin depressions in the face and hands. Plastic surgeons do aesthetic (cosmetic) and reconstructive surgery to improve the appearance and function of the body by restoring, reconstructing, or altering skin and underlying tissues. They repair congenital deformities, postsurgical defects, and posttraumatic defects. An oral cosmetologist is a dentist/oro-maxillo-facial surgeon who performs cosmetic dental procedures. These procedures can improve the appearance of teeth by straightening, lightening, or reshaping.

Cosmetologists are trained and licensed (an occupational license is required in the USA) to perform cosmetic treatments to the hair, skin, and nails. Some cosmetology salons offer cutting, coloring, and chemical hair treatment, fashion trends, wigs, nail aesthetics, and apply makeup to cover up dark spots, for photoshoots and theatre. Some offer skin and hair analysis, ultrasound and mechanical massage (with vacuum and muscle vibrator), aroma therapies or promote reflexology.